Automobile wheel cover fastener



y 1938. J. HALTENBERGER 2,115,768

AUTOMOBILE WHEEL COVER FASTENER Filed June 10, 1935 INVENTOR Y III,

Patented May 3,

This application relates toautomobile wheel cover fasteners, and is thus directed to the same subject of invention as my copending application Serial No. 705,717, flied January 8, 1934 The invention forming the subject matter of the present application relates to wheel covers and their mountings.

It is the object of my invention to simplify accessory wheel cover manufacturing and to provide mounting mechanisms that donot attach tosthe outside exposed wall surfaces nor to the inside of such walls to eliminate the necessity of riveting or electric welding at those places and surface grinding incident to repairing such outside surfaces.

A further object is to eliminate the fender and mount the wheel cover directly on the body.

A further object is to simplify the mounting mechanism. To use a. combined motion sliding lock and to mount it in such the use of thinner and lighter sheetmetal for accessory wheel covers or wheel covers replacing the fenders.

Further, and more particularly expressed, ob-

. jects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

For the accomplishment of the above and related objects, by invention may be embodied in the forms illustratedin the accompanying drawins: Fig.

inserted and upwardly held wheel cover with parts broken away; Fig. 2 isa fragmental vertical section of the cover in Fig. 1 with the mounting mechanism in releasedposition; Fig. 3 is a fragmental horizontal section of the cover illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the mounting mechanism in engaged position; Fig. 4. is an upwardly inserted horizontally clamped wheel cover a modiflcation of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmental section of a two-piece construction of the periphery of the cover shown in Figs. 1, 2f3, and-4 illustrated in a somewhat larger scale; Fig. 6 is a side ele vation of a horizontally or zontally mounted and horizontallyclamped wheel cover with parts broken away, the invention illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 'lis a fragmental vertical section of the cover illustrated in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a fragmental horizontal section of the cover illustrated in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of an upwardly inserted and upwardly held cover with parts broken'away, a modification oi the invention illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a fragmental vertical section of the cover illustrated in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a fragmental section of the cover illustrated in Fig. 9 substan- UNITED STA'i'ES PATENT 7, 2,115,768 ao'roluonms WHEEL covaa was-mum Jules Haltenberger, Indianapolis, Ind. Application June 10, 1935, Serial No. 25,173

- 2 Claims. (01. 292-256) tially on inturned edge ll.

ed by a channel l2.

motion.

Channel way as to .permit cated generally at 1 is a side elevation of an upwardly a flange hook 24 operating arm flange hook 2| substantially horigenerally opposite a modification of tion to or the depending outer a wheel exposing opening defined by acurved 10 Edge II is partially surround- .is rubber sealer l3. Channel a substantially D-shaped cover or closure I.

As is clear from the drawing, cover zontally and vertically positioned by edge H and flange l2 respectively because they partially surround each other therefore the cover I4 is iiiserted to its place by a substantially vertical For certain applicatio ii, therefore, there wi working on a 45 incli and force the cover ll upwardly by OFFICE line A-A; Fig. 12 is a modification of the upper part of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a further modification of theupper part of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10

illustrated in a somewhat larger scale. 5 Referring .to the drawing and particularly to 3 it will be seen that a depending a side wall of an automobile body wall of a fender, has

interposed between them i2 is integral with II is hori- 15 I2 is provided with a flattened and substantially a horizontal protrusion II to serve a as the upper bearing for an angular clamp indil5' and specifically for the reach it which is preferably of spring steel. Cover H is provided with a bottom On this flange is mounted as by'spot-widing a lug l8 to serve as a lower bearing for the reach it.

us the flange i1 is perforated to serve as a lower bearing (not shown).

Reach i6 is bent above protrusion I! to serve as a pressure arm 20 and arm extension 2| as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Pressure arm extension 2| is seated on periphery 22 of edge ll. 16 is bent below bracket l8 to serve as operating arm .22 and is provided at its extreme end with arranged to hook into flange n I! when in tensioned or engaged position. It is important. that pressure arm extension 2i and 23 be bent in generally opposite 4o directions when it is desired that operating arm should lay against the inside of flange I! so as normally not to be visible. The

directional bending of pressure arm extension 2| and operating arm must have a correct angle of opposition with due consideration of the length oi these arms in relathe thickness and length of reach it in view of the lifting pressures desired. As is clear from Fig. 1; that portion where pressure arm eitension 2| substantially on a 45 angle to the'axis of reach ll be a component of a force n e thatwill yieldingly urge Reach of periphery 22 is seated is the upward s5 other reach,

from the drawing, position, that is, when turned from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the pressure arm 20 and arm extension 2| respectively will clear the'periphery 22 with a large margin assuring a clear path for the upward insertion of the cover l4.

' Be it clearly understood that whereas theseflgures show but one torsion lock and unless the cover is fulcrumed at one side (not shown) two are necessary, as is indicated in Fig. l, where the operating arm 23- and flange hook 24' are shown at the bottom right hand corner.

The above description describes a mounting means that leaves the main exposed wheel cover face unblemished as all the attaching means of the reach are fastened to the invisible parts of the wheel cover. This is of great importance if it is realized that the outside face of the'wheel cover is coated with paint and is finally highly polished reflecting the least blemish in multiplied form. By leaving the main exposed face free of rivetings or weldings, production rejections are materially reduced and surface grinding and filling of blemished places are eliminated and" this also permits the, use of lighter gauge metal for said wheel covers. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 indicate clearly that the depending wall upon which the wheel cover is mounted remains free of rivets or weldings also and remains unblemished and is left in the condition in which it arrives from the motor car manufacturer when the wheel cover is used as an accessory.

Fig. 4 illustrates a vmodification of the construction described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and as only the pressure arm and pressure arm extension are different only theseand their functions will be described, to avoid repetition. Here pressure arm 33 is provided with a curved pressure arm extension 3| arranged to clear slightly the periphery 22 and to abut againstthe inner face of cover |4, therefore, the pressure of the clamp by reaction on the protrusion l5 will tend to press the cover l4 yieldingly horizontally inwardlyr Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of wheel cover channel construction. Here inturned edge ii is partially surrounded by channel 35. Interposed between them is rubber sealer 36. This sealer is provided with a rubber lip 31.. Between rubber sealer 36 and rubber lip 31 is the outer edge of channel 35 and mating with it is flange 38, integral with cover 33. Flange 38 as by spot welding is firmly attached to channel 35. Suclmweld and its'disflgurations are hidden by the rubber lip 31.

Figs. 6, '1 and 8 illustrate a modification of the applicant's invention. Here depending wall 53 has a wheel exposing opening defined by an in- On the wall 53 substantially turned edge 5 I. n opposite to edge 5| is a rubber sealer 52 surrounding the'periphery Coverj'lis provided witha bracket 55 arranged is mounted on flangef54 toserv as lower the clamp of a-closure or wheel cover 53. This coveris pro vided witha bottom flange 54,.

ing in foot 31. by the angle of angular side mover 64 Iwill tightenthe cover-84 to wall 33.. The lift of said Reach I6 is bent above bracket 55 to serve as pressure arm 33 and is provided with a curved arm extension 3| arranged to slightly clear or slightly hug inturned edge 5|.

Reach I6 is bent below bracket l3 to serve as operating arm 23" and is provided at its extreme end with a flange hook 24 arranged to hook into flange 54 when in tensioned engaged position.

As is clear from Figs. 6, 7, and 8 the clamp when in released position will permit a clear horizontal or substantially horizontal path of mounting for the wheel cover 53. The pressure of the clamp will hold the wheel cover yieldingly to the face of depending wall 53 of a body (or a fender) with a substantially horizontal pressure.

It is contemplated touse two reaches. With two, bracket 55 and its counterpart (not shown) will locate the wheel cover upwardly fore and aft. Arm extension 3| substantially seated on the top of edge 5|, when in locked position, and its counterpart (not shown) will locate the wheel cover to its low limit position,

Figs. 9, l and 11 illustrate a further modification, of the invention. Here depending wall 53 has a wheel exposing opening defined by an inturned edge Substantially opposite to edge 5| is a rubber sealer 56 surrounding the periphery of a wheel cover 51. a bottom flange 58.

Cover 51 is provided with a bracket 63 arranged to act as a guide for a releasable clamping device indicated generally at 6|, preferably made of spring steel. The upper end is formed into a hook, here a vertical portion 62 isintegral with This cover is provided with connector 63, and the lower end thereof is formed into an angular side mover or cam 64 terminating in a reach 65. Parts 62, 63, 64 and 65 form a unit; on the top this unit is guided in bracket 63; on the bottom, at the lower end of reach 65, it is operatively connected to a spring arm 66. Spring arm 66 by a coiled loop connection is made part of an operating lever 13. Spring arm 66 and operating lever 13 are preferably of spring steel, and they are arranged by their coiled loop connection to be operatively fulcrum mounted on cover 51 as by bolt 1| in bracket 12 attached to flange 58. When operating arm 13 islowered around its coil fulcrum the free end of spring arm 66 rises, lifting the reach and associated parts,

Angular side mover 64, guided bracket 63, will move vertical inturned edge 5|. in an opening in portion 62 laterally, to the inside of the automobile, clearing a path for the vertical insertion of the cover 51. L ed position inhich the free end of operating arm 13, while in tensioned position, is hooked on flange 58; this tension yieldingly but constantly pulls reach 65 downwardly, and by the reaction of this force, holds cover 51 upwardly against the recesses inbrackets 13 at cover 51 (only one shown), and illustrated in Figs. 9 and 11.

Fig. 12 is a modification-of the upper part of Fig. 10. Here depending wall 33 is provided with a pilot hole 3|. In it is positioned pilot pin 32 integral with bracket 33. Bracket 33 at its upper end is welded to the periphery of wheel cover 84. The weld is surrounded by a rubber sealer 35 and part of it is interposed between cover and wall 83. Reach 65' connects to angular side mover Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the mounteach corner of the The downward pull of reach' '65 i is connected to a wheel housing 88. This wheel cover is placed in position in two movements, the vertical one to lift the cover in position, the horizontal one to engage pilot pin 82 in pilot hole 8|.

What applicant claims as his invention:

1. A clamp, adapted to be used on a closure for a downwardly open wheel-exposing opening defined by a. curved edge in a depending outside wall of a vehicle, including a reach, retaining means for said closure including an angularly disposed portion at the upper end of said reach having means adapted to engage and clamp said depending wall above said edge, a guide bracket fixed to said closure and provided with an opening for the reception 0! the upper part of said reach, crank operating means at the lower end of said reach positioned adjacent the lower edge of the closure and means releasably securingthe crank and reach against closure releasing movement.

2. A clamp, adapted to be used on a closure for a downwardly open wheel-exposing opening defined by a curved edge in a depending outside wall of a vehicle, including a reach, retaining means for said closure including an angularly disposed portion near the end of the reach having means adapted to engage and clamp said depending wall above said edge, a guide bracket flxed'to said closure and provided with an opening for the reception of the wall engagin end of said reach, crank operating means at the opposite end oi. said reach and means releasably securing the crank and reach against closure releasing movement.

JULES- HALTENBERGER. 

